Bearing Fixation

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method of engaging a bearing liner within a shell member with an integrated projection portion. The integrated projection portion may deform a selected amount during positioning of the bearing liner within the shell. The shell may include a complementary engaging portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/763,145 filed on Feb. 8, 2013. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to bearing fixation.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

A subject can have a portion replaced with a replacement member. Forexample, a human patient subject can have a portion of the anatomyreplaced with a prosthetic member. The reason for the replacement can bedue to injury, disease, or other failing of the natural anatomy.

A prosthetic member can be used to replace a portion of the anatomy tosubstantially recreate or mimic the natural anatomy and physiology. Forexample, an acetabular prosthesis can be positioned in a preparedacetabulum of a patient to achieve a substantially natural or selectedinteraction of a femur and an acetabulum. It is understood in a completeor total hip arthroplasty that a proximal femoral portion may also bereplaced.

An acetabular prosthesis can include a shell component that contacts apelvis within an acetabulum. The shell can either interact with thenatural femur or with a proximal femoral prosthesis directly, or abearing can be placed in the shell. A bearing can be fixed in the shellusing a separate element that is positioned between the bearing and theshell, such as with the RINGLOC® sold by Biomet, Inc.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

An acetabular prosthesis can be positioned in a patient to replace anacetabulum that is damaged or defective. The acetabular prosthesis canbe placed in the patient after properly preparing the acetabulum toreceive the acetabular prosthesis. The acetabular prosthesis cangenerally be formed of at least two pieces, including an external shellthat is positioned in contact or cemented to the acetabulum of thepelvis and a bearing liner (also referred to herein alone as a liner orbearing) that is positioned and selectively fixed within the shell. Boththe shell and the liner can include convex exterior surfaces and concaveinterior surfaces. The convex exterior surface of the shell can engagethe bone of the pelvis and the convex exterior of the liner can engagethe concave interior of the shell. The concave interior of the liner canthen articulate relative to a proximal femur portion. The proximal femurcan be a prosthetic member or natural proximal femur.

The liner can be engaged to the shell with an engagement portion definedby the liner. The engagement portion defined by the liner may engageand/or interact with the internal surface of the shell to selectivelydeform the liner during insertion of the liner into the shell. Theengagement portion of the liner may then engage or be received by adepression formed within the shell. Once engaged with the depression theliner is substantially fixed to the shell for the purpose of theimplantation.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a shell and bearing liner, according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the shell of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the bearing liner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail cross-section view of an engagement portion takenfrom FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail cross-section view of an engagement portion,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a detail cross-section view of an engagement portion,according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7A is a detail cross-section view of the bearing liner beinginserted into the shell;

FIG. 7B is a detail cross-section view of the bearing liner seated inthe shell;

FIG. 7C is a detail cross-section view from FIG. 7B; and

FIG. 8 is an environmental view of the shell and bearing liner relativeto a subject.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

With reference to FIG. 1, an acetabular prosthesis system can include ashell 20 and an acetabular liner 30. The shell 20 can include anexterior convex surface 40 that is configured to contact an acetabulumof a pelvis. The shell 20 can include throughbores, such as an apicalthroughbore defined by a sidewall 44 and one or more screw of fixationthroughbores 46 defined by through sidewalls 48. The throughbores 46extend from an interior concave surface 50 to the exterior convexsurface 40. The apical hole 42 can generally be used for fixation andpositioning of the acetabular shell 20 in the acetabulum. The fixationbore 46 can be used for passing a screw or other fixation member intothe acetabular portion during implantation and fixation of theacetabular shell 20. It is understood that a plurality of the fixationthroughbores 46 can be provided at various positions of the shell 20 anda user can selectively pass screws for fixing the shell 20 to theacetabulum of the subject. Additional mechanisms or features can be usedto fix the shell to the pelvis as well, for example, projections orspikes, a porous coating or porous outer surface portion.

The acetabular shell 20 can also include other features, such as theanti-rotation depressions 56 formed near an upper surface or a rim 58 ofthe acetabular shell 20. The acetabular shell 20, including theanti-rotation depressions 56 can engage the liner 30 to hold the linersubstantially rotationally fixed relative to the shell 20. Additionally,the shell 20 can include an interior groove or depression 60 formed as asubstantially annular or circumferential depression within the concavesurface 50 of the acetabular shell 20.

The groove 60 formed within the shell 20 can be a groove formed withinthe shell similar to the groove formed in the shell of the acetabularshell used in the RINGLOC® acetabular prosthesis sold by Biomet, Inc.having a place of business in Warsaw, Ind. The groove 60 formed in theinterior surface 50 of the acetabular shell 20 can be formed withappropriate dimensions. The dimensions, as discussed further herein, canassist in fixation of the liner 30 relative to the shell 20 during andafter an implantation of the liner 30 into the shell 20. Generally, thedepression 60 substantially extends around the interior 50 of the shell20 for fixing the liner 30 within the shell 20. It is understood,however, that alternative or additional fixation mechanisms can beprovided or formed within the shell 20 to engage the liner 30.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, and additional reference to FIG. 3,the acetabular liner 30 can include an outer convex surface 70 and aninner concave surface 72. A liner rim 74 can be formed near an upper orequator region of the liner 30 positioned away from an apex 76 of theliner 30. A wall thickness between the interior concave surface 72 andthe exterior convex surface 70 can be provided. It is understood thatthe wall thickness 78 can be substantially uniform or vary between theapex 76 and the rim 74 of the liner 30. The variation of the thicknessof the wall of the liner 30 can be provided for various purposes such asinsertion of the liner 30 within the shell 20 and other bearingcharacteristics, such as wear resistance or weight bearing.

Additionally, the liner 30 can be provided with a one or moreanti-rotation projections 80 that extend from the outer surface 70 ofthe liner near the rim 74. The anti-rotation projections can engage theanti-rotation depressions 56 defined by the shell 20 for substantiallyrotationally fixing the liner 30 relative to the shell 20. Additionally,the anti-rotation projections 80 can assist in aligning the liner 30relative to the shell 20. The anti-rotation projections can also assistin aligning the bearing 30 within the shell to ensure proper fixationtherein.

Additionally, an axial fixation projection 90 can be formed to extendfrom the surface 70 of the liner 30. The axial fixation projection 90can be formed as a substantially continuous projection around anexterior of the liner 30. Alternatively, the projection 90 can be formedas a segmental projection including discreet projection regions aroundthe exterior of the liner 30. The axial fixation projection 90 may beformed to engage the axial fixation depression 60 within the shell 20during an implantation and positioning of the liner 30 within the shell20. As discussed herein, the geometry of the axial fixation projection90 can interact with the inner surface 50 of the shell 20 duringpositioning of the liner 30 within the shell 20 and engage thedepression 60 within the shell 20 for fixing the liner 30 within theshell 20.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3 and additional reference to FIG. 4,the axial fixation projection 90 is shown in detail. The projection 90,illustrated in FIG. 4, is a manufactured or first configuration of theprojection 90. As discussed herein, the projection can deform to engageand/or seat in the shell 20. The liner 30 can define a central axis 100that extends substantially through the apex 76 of the liner 30. Thecentral axis 100 is also generally perpendicular to a place defined nearand/or by a rim of the liner 30. An apical or distal surface 102 of theaxial fixation projection 90 can be formed to be substantiallyperpendicular or at a right angle to the axis 100 of the liner 30. Theperpendicular surface 102 of the axial fixation projection 90 can extenda distance 104 from the exterior surface 70 of the liner 30. Thedistance 104 of the edge or surface 102 can provide, as discussedfurther herein, a sufficient or selected amount of material of theprojection 90 to deform relative to the shell 20 for fixation within thedepression 60 of the shell 20. The axial fixation projection 90 canfurther include a first parallel extending wall 106 that extends aparallel distance 108 of about 0.4 mm to about 0.6 mm, including about0.5 mm. The parallel wall 108 extends substantially parallel to thecentral axis 100 of the liner 30. The parallel wall 106, however, canform an angle towards the central axis 100 from the perpendicular wall102, such as about 68° relative to the perpendicular wall 102 of theaxial fixation projection 90. A third angled wall 110 can extend fromthe parallel wall 106 to the juncture 110 a along a distance 112. Thedistance 112 can be about 0.6 mm to about 0.8 mm, including about 0.7mm. The angled wall 110 can extend at an angle towards the central axis100 from the wall 106 at a generally acute angle towards the centralaxis 100 of the liner 30.

The exterior surface 70 generally defines an arc having a center definedrelative to the liner 30. The exterior surface 70 is substantiallycontinuous from the rim of the liner to an apex of the liner 30. Theprojection 90, including the various surfaces 102, 106, and 110generally extends or diverges from the exterior surface 70 of the liner30. Additionally, the measurements are exemplary regarding a linergenerally having a diameter of about 31 mm. It is understood that thespecific dimensions of the projection 90 can, therefore, differ basedupon the dimensions of the liner 30.

According to various embodiments, the axial fixation projection 90 isformed of the same material as the remainder of the liner 30. Further,the projection 90 can be formed as one piece with the liner 30. Forexample, the liner 30 can be molded to include the projection 90 as anintegral portion of the liner 30.

The projection 90 can be provided such that a majority of the materialwithin the axial projection 90 is positioned below a midline 140 of theprojection 90. The midline 140 is at the mid-point of the total axialdistance of the projection 90. The total axial distance of theprojection 90 can generally be defined as a distance between where thefirst surface 102 extends at 102 a from the external surface 70 of theliner 30 to a point 110 a where the surface 110 rejoins and/or extendsfrom the external surface 70 of the liner 30. Accordingly, withreference to FIG. 4, the midline 140 of the projection 90 can be definedgenerally along line 140. Generally, the midline 140 is a first axialdistance 140 a from a line through the point 102 a and a second axialdistance 140 b from a line through point 110 a. The first axial distance140 a and the second axial distance 140 b are equal when the line 140 isa true-mid-line. The lines through the points 102 a and 110 a areperpendicular to the central axis 100.

A vertical line or plane 142 is also defined relative to the liner 30.The vertical line 142 may be substantially parallel with the centralaxis 100 of the liner 30 and intersect the point 110 a, where the wall110 rejoins the outer surface 70. The mid-line 140 may be substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical line 142.

The mid-line 140 can define a boundary or a plane that divides materialof the projection 90 between the rim and the apex of the liner 30. Thevertical line 142 can define a central boundary of the projection 90. Amajority, such as at least 51% of a volume of the material that definesthe axial fixation projection 90 is between the mid-line 140 and theapex 76 of the liner 30 and the vertical line 142 and the outer edge ofthe projection 90. Thus, less than 51% of the volume of the materialthat defines the axial fixation projection 90 is between the line 140and the upper rim 74 of the liner 30 and the vertical line 142 and theouter edge of the projection 90. According to various embodiments,however without being bound by the theory, providing a majority of thematerial in the axial fixation projection 90 closer to the apex 76 canallow for the projection 90 to deform as the liner 30 is moved into theshell 20. When the projection 90 deforms, the projection 90 can engagethe depression 60 of the shell 20 after positioning the liner 30 withinthe shell 20 in a seated or changed configuration that is different fromthe original or manufactured configuration illustrated, for example, inFIG. 4.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5, analternative axial fixation projection 190 is illustrated. The liner 30can include the exterior surface 70 and an axial fixation projection 190that is substantially bulbous or curved. The projection 190 can includean exterior surface 192 that is substantially continuous from the firstextension point 194 from the exterior surface 70 to the second diversionpoint 196, where the axial fixation projection 190 rejoins the exteriorsurface 70. A vertical line 198 extend substantially parallel to thecentral axis 100 of the liner and intersects the diversion point 194(nearest the rim of the liner. The axial fixation projection 190 caninclude a majority of a volume of the material defined within the axialfixation projection 190 between a mid-line 200 and the apex 76 of theliner 30 and the vertical line 198 and an outer edge of the projection.Again, the mid-line 200 can be equidistant from lines that areperpendicular to the central axis 100 through the respective points 194and 196.

According to various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 6, a liner 230can be formed similar to the liner 30. The liner 230, however, caninclude a generally cylindrical outer surface region 232, such as near arim of the liner 230. An axial fixation projection 234 can be formed tohave a generally bulbous of continuous outer surface 236 or to have anyappropriate geometry, such as that discussed above. The outer surface ofthe projection 234 can diverge/converge from the outer surface 232 ofthe liner 230 at a first divergence point 238 and converge or diverge ata second divergence point 240. A mid-line 242 can be defined as a linethat is half way between the first point 238 and the second point 240.The outer surface region 232 can be substantially parallel to a centralaxis 244 of the liner 230. Thus, the outer surface 232 can define asubstantially vertical line. Near an apex of the liner 230 a curvedouter surface region 246 can be defined by the liner 230. The axialprojection 234, however, can be defined substantially entirely withinthe cylindrical outer surface region 232.

Accordingly, it is understood that a specific geometry of the axialfixation projection or the liner is not required. For example, the axialfixation projection need not include the specific dimensions illustratedin FIG. 4 and the liner need not be entirely curved. Nevertheless, theaxial fixation projection may include dimensions where a majority of thevolume of the material of the axial fixation projection is between themid-line of the axial fixation projection and the apex of the liner 30.

Generally, according to various embodiments, the axial fixationprojection 90, 190, 236 initially or is manufactured and provided toinclude a majority, such as more than 51%, of a material of the axialfixation projection, between the respective midlines and the apex of theliner 30. For example, regarding the axial fixation projection 90 atleast 51% of the material that is included in the axial fixationprojection 90 is below the midline 140. Thus, the projection 90, 190,236 according to various embodiments, is asymmetrical about the mid-line140, 200.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, the liner 30 is initially placed relativeto the shell 20 in the manufactured configuration where a majority ofthe material of the axial fixation projection is between the midline andthe apex of the liner 30. The liner 30 is then moved into and may bepositioned within the shell 20 by applying a substantially axial forcein the direction of Arrow A that can generally be along the axis 100 ofthe liner 30. As the liner 30 is pressed into the shell 20, the axialfixation projection 90 engages the inner wall surface 50, such as inregion 300, of the shell 20.

As the axial fixation projection 90 engages the inner wall surface 50 ofthe shell 20, the projection 90 is urged generally in the direction ofArrow B that is substantially in a direction opposite of Arrow A. Theprojection 90 is generally forced in the direction of Arrow B due to areaction of pressing the liner 30 into the shell 20. Friction causedbetween the projection 90 and the inner surface 50 of the shell 20causes the projection 90 to be urged in the direction of Arrow B. Thematerial of the projection 90 generally does not compress or collapse,but may be mobile under the force of the insertion of the liner 30 intothe shell 20. A movement zone can be formed near or at the interface ofthe projection 90 with the outer surface 70 of the liner 30. Themovement zone can include movement of the material from the projection90 towards the rim 74 of the liner 30. In other words, there is movementof material in the projection 90 from below the mid-line 140 (i.e. anarea or volume between the apex 76 and the mid-line 140) to an areaabove the mid-line 140 (i.e. an area or volume between the rim 74 andthe mid-line 140). As the liner 30 is pressed into the shell 20 thefriction or engagement between the projection 90 and the inner surface50 of the shell 20 continues.

As the liner 30 moves into a substantially seated position, asillustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the projection 90 achieves asubstantially locking configuration, which can also be viewed as areverse pullout ramp configuration. In the locking configuration, whichcan be a second and/or deformed configuration, a portion of the materialof the projection 90 that was between the mid-line 140 and the apex 76of the liner 30 has moved between the line 140 and the rim 74 of theliner 30. In the locked configuration, the projection 90, 190, accordingto various embodiments, may be asymmetrical about the mid-line 140, 200and biased towards the rim 74 of the liner 30.

In the locked configuration, the material of the projection 90 has beenaltered or moved to engage the depression or groove 60 of the shell 20in a locked configuration. The surface of the deformed projection thatwas initially provided as surface 110 is substantially perpendicular tothe central axis of the liner 30 and would engage a surface 60 a of thedepression prior to other surfaces of the deformed projection. Moreover,the initially provided surface 102 and part or all of surface 106 areangled towards the rim 74 and the central axis 100 of the liner 30.

The movement of the material from the projection 90 from themanufactured configuration (also referred to as the initialconfiguration) to the locked configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 7Band 7C, can provide a substantially strong push-out and lever-out forceof the liner 30 relative to the shell 20.

The amount of material that moves from the initial position (e.g. asillustrated according to various embodiments in FIGS. 4-6) to the lockedposition (e.g. as illustrated in FIGS. 7B and 7C) may be selected basedupon various considerations and selections. For example, the amount ofmaterial that moves can be selected based on materials for the liner 30,the various dimensions of the axial fixation projection 90 (e.g. thefirst wall 102), the distance from the rim 58 to the recessed depression60 of the shell 20, and other factors. Generally, according to thevarious embodiments, projection 90 may include at least 51% of thematerial of the projection between the mid-line and the apex of theliner and in the locked configuration the projection 90 has at least 51%of the material moved between the mid-line 140 and the rim 74.

The liner 30 can be pre-assembled to the shell 20 prior to insertioninto a patient. Alternatively, and according to various embodiments,however, the shell 20 can initially be positioned within a patient 320,as illustrated in FIG. 8, and then the liner 30 can be positioned withinthe shell 20. Assembly of the liner 30 into the shell 20 and positioningthe shell 20 into the patient 320 can be performed according to variousand commonly known methods, such as that used with the RINGLOC®prosthesis system sold by Biomet, Inc. having a place of business inWarsaw, Ind. Generally, the liner 30 can be pressed into the shell 20using an insertion tool that can apply enough force to overcome thefriction between the projection 90 and the inner surface 50 of the shell20 and allow the projection 90 to deform for engagement into the grooveof the shell 20.

As discussed above, the projection 90 can be formed with the otherportions of the liner 30 according to generally known manufacturingtechniques. Generally, the liner 30 can be molded using generally knownmolding and forming techniques. Accordingly, the projection 90 need notbe an additional piece that is added to the liner or to the assembly ofthe shell 20 with the liner 30. The projection 90 being integral withthe liner 30 allows for an efficient assembly of the liner 30 with theshell 20. Additionally, additional machining and manufacturing steps fora separate locking mechanism may not be required. Further, the materialforming the projection 90 can generally be substantially anatomicallyand physiologically compatible and additional materials need not beoffered to the assembly.

The interaction of the liner 30, including the projection 90, with theinner surface 50 of the shell 20 can provide for a substantially stronglever-out and push-out force. Various standards have been developed inthe art to measure forces that act on acetabular prostheses to attemptto disassemble or disconnect the liner 30 from the shell 20. Forexample, a lever out test, according to the standard ASTM F1820-97(2009) can measure the amount of force required to lever out the liner30 from the shell 20. Generally, the liner 30 can be assembled into theshell 20. The shell 20 is then held fixed within an assembly and aleaver arm engages the liner 30 by being pressed into the liner 30across the diameter of the liner 30. The lever arm is then pressed overa fulcrum to apply a force to attempt to lever out the liner 30 from theshell 20. Generally, the lever out force of the liner 30 including theprojection is about 140 foot/pounds (ft/lb) to about 190 ft/lb,including about 160 ft/lb to about 190 ft/lb, and further includingabout 170 ft/lb to lever out the liner 30 from the shell 20.

Additionally, a push-out force test can also be performed according tothe standard ASTM F1820-97 (2009) standard. In a push-out test, theliner 30 is assembled into the shell 20 and the shell 20 is supported byan assembly while the liner 30 is free to move when a force is applied.The force is supplied through the apical hole 42 with a push bar. Thepush-out force for the liner 30 with the projection 90 assembled withinthe shell 20 can generally be about 320 ft/lb to about 400 ft/lb,including about 350 ft/lb to about 380 ft/lb, and further includingabout 370 ft/lb. Accordingly, the assembly of the liner 30 into theshell 20 including only the axial fixation projection 90 can provide asubstantial lever-out and push-out forced resistance. Additionally, itis understood, that the other configurations, including that illustratedin FIG. 5, can include similar lever-out and push-out force resistancegiven the configuration of the axial fixation projection 190 to interactwith the shell 20. Generally, the achieved lever-out and push-out forcescan be achieved when the projection, according to various embodiments,can achieve the seated or deformed configuration that moves the selectedamount of material past a mid-line of the projection. Further, it isunderstood, that the material of the projection 90 remains in the secondor implanted configuration after implantation until acted upon by amember that produces the forces discussed above. That is, the projection90 does not substantially elastically deform, but maintains theimplanted configuration.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing an acetabular prosthesisincluding a bearing liner within a shell, comprising: moving the bearingliner into a concave interior of the shell, wherein the shell has anexterior surface configured to engage an anatomy and the bearing linerhas an exterior wall surface configured to be received within theconcave interior of the shell, the exterior wall surface extending froma rim of the bearing liner towards an apex of the bearing liner along asubstantially continuous curve; engaging an axial fixation projectionthat extends from the substantially continuous curve of the exteriorsurface at least on the concave interior of the shell; deforming theaxial fixation projection from a first configuration to a second seatedconfiguration; and seating the axial fixation projection within a grooveformed through the concave interior of the shell to implant the bearingliner within the shell, wherein the second seated configuration isachieved at least at seating the axial fixation projection within thegroove; wherein deforming the axial fixation projection includessubstantially permanently moving a material forming the axial fixationprojection to bias the volume of material between a mid-line and a rimof the bearing liner.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:providing the bearing liner wherein a volume of material that forms theaxial fixation projection in the first configuration is biased betweenthe mid-line of the axial fixation projection and the apex of thebearing.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the bearing linerwith the volume of material that the forms the axial fixation projectionin the first configuration biased between the mid-line of the axialfixation projection and the apex of the bearing includes providing atleast 51 percent of the volume of material between the mid-line of theaxial fixation projection and the apex of the bearing.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: implanting the shell within an acetabulum.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the bearingliner and the axial fixation projection formed as one unitary piece. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing the axial fixationprojection in the first configuration with a first projection surfaceextending from the exterior surface having a surface end a firstdistance from the exterior surface and at least one second surfaceextending towards the exterior surface at an acute angle relative to thefirst projection surface.
 7. A method for providing an acetabularprosthesis including a bearing liner within a shell, comprising: forminga shell member having an exterior configured to engage an anatomy and aninterior surface extending from a shell rim to a shell apex; forming anengagement groove extending through the interior surface; forming abearing liner having an exterior wall surface configured to be receivedwithin an interior of the shell member; forming the exterior wallsurface to extend from a rim of the bearing liner towards an apex of thebearing liner; and forming an asymmetrical fixation projection extendingfrom the exterior wall surface with a first configuration where a volumeof material of the asymmetrical fixation projection is biased towardsthe apex of the bearing liner, and configured to engage the engagementgroove of the shell to engage the bearing liner within the concaveinterior of the shell in a second configuration that is deformed fromthe first configuration due to an insertion of the bearing liner withthe asymmetrical fixation projection into the shell.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein forming the exterior wall surface includes forming theexterior wall surface to extend along a substantially continuous curvefrom the rim of the bearing liner towards an apex of the bearing liner.9. The method of claim 8, wherein forming the asymmetrical fixationprojection includes forming a projection extending from thesubstantially continuous curve of the exterior wall surface.
 10. Themethod of claim 7, wherein forming the shell member having the interiorsurface extending from the shell rim includes forming at least a portionof the interior surface between the shell rim and the formed engagementgroove to assist in causing deformation of the asymmetrical fixationprojection towards the second configuration prior to the asymmetricalfixation projection engaging the formed engagement groove.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, wherein forming the bearing liner includes formingthe asymmetrical fixation projection in the first configuration suchthat a majority of a material within the asymmetrical fixationprojection is positioned below a midline of the asymmetrical fixationprojection.
 12. A method for providing an acetabular prosthesisincluding a bearing liner within a shell, comprising: implanting a shellmember having an exterior surface configured to engage an acetabulum andan interior surface extending from a shell rim to a shell apex, anengagement groove is formed through the interior surface; aligning abearing liner having an exterior wall surface configured to be receivedwithin an interior of the shell member, wherein the exterior wallsurface extends from a rim of the bearing liner towards a bearing linerapex of the bearing liner and an asymmetrical fixation projectionextends from the exterior wall surface; and positioning the bearingliner within the shell member including deforming the asymmetricalfixation projection from a first configuration to a secondconfiguration.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein implanting the shellmember occurs following the aligning the bearing liner and positioningthe bearing liner within the shell member.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein positioning the bearing liner includes moving the bearing linerinto the interior of the shell member to deform the asymmetricalfixation projection from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein positioning thebearing liner includes applying a force with an insertion tool toovercome friction between the asymmetrical fixation projection and theinterior surface of the shell member and cause the asymmetrical fixationprojection to deform from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration for engagement into the engagement groove of the shellmember.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: forming amovement zone when overcoming the friction by moving material of theasymmetrical fixation projection from below a midline of theasymmetrical fixation projection to above the midline of theasymmetrical fixation projection.
 17. The method of claim 12, whereinthe exterior wall surface extends from the rim of the bearing linertowards the bearing liner apex of the bearing liner along asubstantially continuous curve.
 18. The method of claim 12, whereindeforming the asymmetrical fixation projection from the firstconfiguration to the second configuration includes deforming theasymmetrical fixation projection into a locked configuration bycontacting the interior surface of the shell member.
 19. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the first configuration of the asymmetrical fixationprojection includes a majority of material below a midline of theasymmetrical fixation projection biased towards the bearing liner apexof the bearing liner.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:forming a movement zone when engaging the asymmetrical fixationprojection on the interior surface of the shell member during insertionof the bearing liner into the shell member.